Wine container, sick leave bills reach Scott

Dozens of bills, from proposed changes to a controversial nuclear-power law to a new limit on the hours of massage establishments, have reached the desk of Gov. Rick Scott. The Legislature sent 51 bills to the governor on Monday. He has until June 25 to act on each measure.

Among the bills is HB 7005, which is intended to crack down on shady massage establishments that are fronts for sex trafficking. The bill would prevent the operation of massage establishments between midnight and 5 a.m., although it has exceptions for businesses such as health facilities and hotels that might offer massage services.

HB 623, meanwhile, would allow the sale of wine in 5.16 gallon canisters which can be tapped like a keg, allowing easier sales of wine by the glass in restaurants and bars. Currently, wine can't be sold in containers over a gallon, which means wine bars can only pour it into glasses out of traditional wine bottles.

Another measure, HB 1083, would set up a permitting process for natural gas to be injected underground and stored until it is needed. Storage projects could be located in areas of southwest Florida and northwest Florida that have produced oil in the past.

SB 1472 establishes new benchmarks for electric utilities that want to collect controversial fees while planning nuclear-power plants. The measure is aimed at altering a 2006 law intended to encourage more nuclear power. Florida Power & Light and the former Progress Energy Florida --- now Duke Energy ---– have used the law to collect hundreds of millions of dollars in pre-construction nuclear fees.

He must also decide whether to sign a controversial measure that would block local governments from requiring employers to offer paid sick leave for workers. The bill (HB 655) stems from a fight in Orange County about a citizens' petition that would put the issue of mandated sick leave up for a vote.

Business groups have backed HB 655, saying that allowing local governments to require sick leave could drive companies to other states. But as of last week, Scott's office had been deluged with emails and petitions urging him to veto the bill. Supporters of providing paid sick leave say it would be cost effective, at least in part, because workers would be more productive.

Last modified: June 10, 2013
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